The Big Picture
Ah decision-making! It never seems to get any easier. As you travel down the road of life, you might imagine that the wisdom you’ve garnered along the way would help decisions become clearer and quicker. But on the contrary, life’s journey only seems to get more complicated, sometimes muddying the waters of what once seemed so clear.
Most of us make plans. Most of us are sure about our beliefs. But the next thing we know, a life circumstance (or two) throws us a curve. Sometimes it’s new information or an experience that causes confusion or provides new insights. Other times it’s a cultural shift that changes not only our personal world, but also, the world at large.
What happens then? What steadies you when heavy decisions cause your mind to rock back and forth like a wind tossed ship? What are your handholds, especially when the impact of the decision may be significant?
The answers may be in the questions you ask yourself:
1. Do you know the facts?
Unfortunately these days, there are “facts” and there are true facts! Many sources we once trusted have either been tainted with bias, or they’re trying to sell you something. Frankly, this is nothing new. Professional deception has been around since the dawn of time. Although the question is easier to ask than to answer, the solution may lie in the next question.
2. Have you done the research?
How and where you do your research depends on the kind of decision you are making. The good news is, there are more reliable sources than ever. When it comes to purchases we can sift through the over-bloated pitches from advertisers with a simple search for authentic reviews. If you’re looking for schools, private instructors, home repair, contractors, tree trimmers, even marriage and parenting advice, there are plenty of referrals and testimonies to guide the way.
The bad news is, there are also more unreliable sources than ever, especially when it comes to politics or societal issues. Many news channels are sadly and obviously slanted in their “reporting”. Then there’s the internet and social media, with “deep fake’ videos and the unfortunate control of platforms, making it the worst place to get your news.
To be truly informed you must do the hard work and dig deeper.
3. Have you received wise counsel?
“Without counsel, plans go wrong, but many advisors bring success.” Proverbs 15:22 NLT
Start with prayer. The best counsel a person can receive concerning any decision is from our Creator God who sees all things and knows all things. He has promised to lead us, if we will just ask. You can trust that He wants what’s best for you. Pray with others, talk with your pastor or a trusted mentor, or consider joining a discussion group. Look for reliable sources that ask the hard questions and are covering differing points of view.
4. Have you considered other viewpoints?
Here’s a radical suggestion ~ Read books and articles from those you disagree with. The best way to be sure of your own choices is to understand other’s viewpoints. Engage in discussion with reasonable people who see things differently than you do. If it’s a healthy discourse, you’ll be pleasantly surprised as to what you learn, how you grow, and the sense of peace you can carry on with, even if you simply agree to disagree. Hopefully, you will gain knowledge and deepen friendships. And who knows, you may even change your mind!
5. Are you open to new ideas and possibly changing your mind?
This can be a tough one. It may help to think about it this way: It’s not necessarily about changing your mind, it’s about changing your mind-set. Remaining teachable is the key.
There may be things you are dead set upon that are based in “old truisms”. Let’s say you’ve had your mind set on sending your child to a certain school, but based on your child’s personal development, or as your finances grow or shrink, you may need to rethink your decision and make a different choice. At that point, it’s time to go back into research and counsel mode. (See #2 & #3) After all, things change.
Think of the big picture and future ramifications with each decision.
“When I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child; but when I grew up, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 NLT
As children, our decision-making is based purely on our own needs, wants and desires, with no consideration of future consequences. As we grow, hopefully we have developed a solid foundation for our decision-making that includes serving the needs of others. Realizing that none of us is an island unto ourselves, every decision, from our finances, our parenting, our vote, and even the tone of our voice, makes a difference.
In every heart, there is a desire to create a better tomorrow.
Responsible decisions are always more difficult than reckless, in the moment choices. Being thoughtful takes far more time and effort, than being rash. But in the end, a well thought out decision is far easier to live with than an uninformed decision made from emotion or in haste.
Making responsible choices is hard work, but the result of a thoughtless choice is harder.
So ask yourself one more question:
How will your decisions help to create a better tomorrow for you, your family, and the world we live in?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5 & 6 NLT